Great. Thank you Borderline! I've just searched that name via google images and it looks spot on. I also notice it goes by the names of 'Purple Heart' and 'Wandering Jew". These plants were all over Otranto in Italy.
I have seen these plants grown in the ground in sheltered gardens nowadays. They’re frost hardy and in warm summers they flower for a long time. They are usually used in hanging baskets or containers.
Yes, definately Tradescantia. I am currently growing some 25 varieties (but there are many more varieties) with a colour range from cream to green to purple. Also the leave vary emormously from very petite and smooth to large and hairy. They are a good indoor plant for the uk and can be very effective grown in hanging baskets in the summer time. They are fabulous when the light catches the leaves from behind on a north facing window. They propagate easily by just breaking a peice off and sticking it in the growing media. They do not like direct sun but they will thrive in a partially shaded area. If they get too much sun, they will loose leafe colour and begin to look a bit wishy washy, but as soon as you put them in partical shade they recover quite quickly. Keep nipping the ends off to promote bushy growth and use what you have nipped out to create more plants.
syn. T. pallida 'Purpurea' or Setcreasea 'Purple Heart'
Narrative Description:
Not
a completely new variety, but brought a new lease of life. This
Tradescantia has fairly succulent, large, broad, purple leaves with pink
flowers emerging in summer.
nickjclark
Posts: 4
Posts
I've just searched that name via google images and it looks spot on.
I also notice it goes by the names of 'Purple Heart' and 'Wandering Jew".
These plants were all over Otranto in Italy.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Tradescantia+Pallida+Purpurea&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh_97q8fbdAhVRsaQKHVF3AMUQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=938
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradescantia_pallida#/media/File:Purple_heart_leaf.jpg
syn. T. pallida 'Purpurea' or Setcreasea 'Purple Heart'
Narrative Description:
Not a completely new variety, but brought a new lease of life. This Tradescantia has fairly succulent, large, broad, purple leaves with pink flowers emerging in summer.